BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Prince Tunde Odunlade, a Nigerian artist known for batik textiles, fiber art, woodcut prints, music and spoken word, will open a new exhibition and performance Saturday at East Village Arts in Birmingham, adding a local stop to a career that has stretched across Africa, Europe, North America and the Middle East.
The opening reception is set for 7 p.m. June 27, with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. at East Village Arts, 1711 First Avenue North. The event is free, with donations accepted and encouraged, and the exhibit will remain on display through mid-July.
Odunlade’s Birmingham appearance comes as Nigerian contemporary art continues to draw international attention. Recent coverage of Nigeria’s art market has pointed to Lagos as a major cultural hub, with a growing domestic collector base, major art fairs and a steady stream of contemporary work reaching audiences beyond the country.
At home, Nigerian artists have long blended traditional forms with modern practice, and that mix has helped give the country’s contemporary scene a strong reputation abroad. Reporting in recent years has described a market buoyed by fairs such as ART X Lagos and by artists working across painting, sculpture, installation and digital media.
In Birmingham, East Village Arts says Odunlade’s work will feature giant beaded batiks and other pieces that combine modern materials with traditional Yoruban fabric art. The Birmingham Times also reported that Odunlade first came to Alabama in the 1980s as an artist-in-residence at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa.
Odunlade’s work is rooted in Yoruba culture and frequently explores identity, memory, spirituality and migration, according to The Birmingham Times. His exhibition arrives amid a broader recognition of African contemporary art as a global force, with Nigerian artists increasingly visible in fairs, galleries and public art projects.
For attendees, the event combines an exhibition opening with performance elements including singing, storytelling, drumming and an artist meet-and-greet.